Vavrová Katarína, Šarlina Igor, Kostiuk Yaroslava
et al.
Background: Smart technologies serve as a bridge between strategic business goals and sustainable development, creating a synergy among the economic, environmental, and social dimensions of business and circular urbanism. Purpose: The objective of this paper is to analyse the impact of implementing smart technologies on the economic benefits for an urban centre in a Central European Union state. Studydesign/methodology/approach: The research employs an econometric model to predict financial savings (30%, 40%, and 55%) resulting from the implementation of smart technologies in waste management within a selected urban centre. Findings/conclusions: The predictions confirmed the existence of a positive and growing trend in financial savings across all analysed areas, highlighting the economic benefits of smart technology adoption. Limitations/future research: The limitations of the research consist of inconsistencies in the implementation of smart technologies in waste management across different municipalities within the analysed country. Future research could expand the research sample to multiple urban centres and countries after the introduction of legislation that incentivises the uniform adoption of current smart technologies and the publication of up-to-date implementation data. This would facilitate the development of sustainable strategic plans and decisions that are tailored to both national level and local needs of individual urban centres, offering effective and long-term solutions for sustainable urban development.
Production management. Operations management, Personnel management. Employment management
María C. Navas-Jiménez, Ana Laguia, Rocio Schettini
et al.
Based on attachment theory, this research explores Secure Base Leadership’s (SBL) efficacy in mitigating the negative impact of emotional demands on employee exhaustion, with an aim to reduce burnout rates and improve workplace well-being. A survey sample of 428 Spanish employees from various sectors was collected, and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to test the research model. Emotional demands were found to significantly increase employee exhaustion, whereas SBL reduced and moderated these effects, proving its protective function. Furthermore, increased exhaustion was associated with longer tenure and employment in private organizations. Findings support integrating SBL in leadership development to foster a supportive environment, mitigate burnout, and boost employee well-being. Highlighting the application of attachment theory in organizational settings, this study contributes to understanding SBL’s effectiveness against emotional demands, guiding leadership practices to enhance organizational health.
Manuel José Serra da Fonseca, Bruno Barbosa Sousa, Tatiana Machado Carvalho
et al.
Globalization and market saturation have led Portuguese textile companies to seek international markets not only for growth but also to contribute to their country’s international image. This study aims to explore how the internationalization of the Portuguese textile sector into the Chinese market contributes to Portugal’s destination image and identify the critical success factors in this process. The research follows an inductive, qualitative methodology based on semi-structured interviews with two groups of companies: those already operating in China (n = 5) and those preparing to enter the market (n = 5). The interviews were thematically analyzed to extract key patterns and insights. The findings reveal that successful companies operate in the luxury segment, rely on prior international experience, and often use local intermediaries. Firms planning to internationalize highlight quality differentiation, brand authenticity, and innovation as strategic advantages. These insights support the role of niche positioning and cultural adaptation in building both commercial success and a refined international image of Portugal. This study contributes to the literature by linking internationalization and destination branding through industry-specific case evidence and offers practical implications for managers targeting emerging markets like China.
Zelenović Vera, Zelenović Jelena, Đaković Miloš
et al.
Background: Innovations in the domain of banking services in the household sector are primarily related to easier access to a current account and new payment methods, which are practical and simple for the consumer. Financial innovation and financial development are positively related, and their impact grows over time. Constant changes in client demands, and constant pressure to reduce costs and increase efficiency leave banks with no choice but to apply modern technology. Purpose: This is to point out the importance of financial innovations and their application in the banking market of Serbia. This is all the more so, as the level and growth of real wages in Serbia, as well as the increased inflationary pressure since the time of COVID-19, make these services for bank clients in Serbia much more expensive and inaccessible, due to differences from clients in developed markets. Methodology/approach: Materials from scientific journals and primary sources were used in the presented research, using the method of content analysis. The presented research was done on the basis of official data available on the National Bank of Serbia's website, which cover a time series of five years. An appropriate statistical regression method was applied. Findings/conclusions: The conducted research showed that financial innovations have adequate application in Serbia as a developing market. The Covid-19 pandemic forced the process of digitization and the adoption of financial innovations to accelerate, and judging by the results of the research, this process is irreversible. Limitations/future research: Future research could address the value of the transactions made in the same period. Is the increase in the value of financial transactions due to an increase in the number of users or an increase in the volume of transactions? Another question would be whether the inflation factor is noticeable in the increase in the financial value of transactions. Certain limitations may appear in future research, related to a real reduction in wages, or even job loss, and that is to what extent are bank clients ready to continue using existing financial innovations, i.e. buy new innovations, at the expense of this reduction.
Production management. Operations management, Personnel management. Employment management
Marius-Răzvan Surugiu, Valentina Vasile, Camelia Surugiu
et al.
This paper focuses on analyzing online visitor reviews of Romanian palaces and castles because these comments could represent the starting point for improving tourist offerings. Additionally, expert evaluations were included in analyzing the relevance of the information obtained for managerial decision-making at the company level. In the first stage of the analysis, 18 castles and palaces with a TripAdvisor account from three Romanian historical regions were identified: Moldavia, Muntenia (Wallachia), and Transylvania. The study used a qualitative technique to examine visitors’ cultural experiences by analyzing 1399 online evaluations from TripAdvisor. The findings reveal that visitors exhibited positive emotional reactions toward the castles and palaces in Romania and preferred integrated cultural services. The tourists expressed their opinions online related to visiting the respective castles/palaces, restaurants visited in the area, and the quality of the accommodation services. Research methods associated with expert evaluations applied periodically can become active support tools for managerial decisions in the adaptation/diversification of service packages based on the consumer category. The findings could serve as managerial resources for companies to enhance their cultural heritage offerings, better reach their target audiences, and align with their preferences and interests.
Introduction. The full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has resulted in devastating damage to infrastructure, the economy, and human capital. Alongside these visible effects, the war has inflicted profound psychological trauma, including heightened anxiety, chronic stress, and post- traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which are expected to have long-term consequences for Ukraine’s recovery. In this context, tourism is examined as a tool for dual recovery – economic revitalisation and mental health restoration. Objective and Methods. The purpose of the paper is to investigate how the tourism sector can contribute to the recovery of Ukrainian communities during and after the war. The methodological foundation is based on Growth Pole Theory and the Tourism-Led Growth Hypothesis (TLGH). The study employs a mixed-methods approach, including analysis of global post-conflict tourism case studies, comparative tourism investment assessments, and content analysis of Ukrainian policies on community recovery. Results. The findings demonstrate that tourism development contributes to economic regeneration through infrastructure enhancement, job creation, and support for local entrepreneurship. Simultaneously, tourism plays a vital role in supporting the psychological well- being of war-affected populations by enhancing resilience and reducing PTSD symptoms, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, and aggressive behaviour. Developed Complex Model of the Impact of Tourism on Community Recovery after Traumatic Events illustrates the integration of economic and mental health benefits leveraged by tourism and impacting human capital development. The paper presents a comprehensive conceptual model of tourism’s impact on community recovery. Conclusions. Tourism can serve as a strategic instrument for Ukraine’s integrated recovery. Tourism simultaneously fosters economic development and mental resilience and offers immediate and long-term benefits. The paper recommends targeted initiatives to develop therapeutic, nature-based, and memorial tourism programs as part of Ukraine’s reconstruction strategy.
Raphaela Trezza Lima, André Falcão Durão, Julio Cesar Ferro de Guimarães
et al.
This article analyzes the construction of the Digital Extended Self of digital influencers from the travel channel Travel Channel, drawing on R. W. Belk’s theory. The study employs a qualitative exploratory–descriptive approach, using a case study as its methodological strategy. Data collection involved analyzing five podcast interviews with the channel’s founders, along with videos published between 2022 and 2024. In addition, viewer comments on these videos were extracted and examined. All materials were analyzed using Bardin’s content analysis. The results reveal a strong presence of the Extended Self dimensions, co-construction, and sharing, showing that interaction with the audience actively shapes the influencers’ identity and content. The dimensions of dematerialization (e.g., cloud storage) and distributed memory (the use of digital records as extensions of memory) were also evident. Reincarnation (the use of avatars or personas) was the least observed dimension, a finding attributed to the influencers’ authentic style and focus on real-life experiences. Overall, the Digital Extended Self of the Travel Channel emerges as a genuine and organically constructed entity, resulting in an aggregated Self that reflects a strong connection with its audience. This research provides valuable insights into how Belk’s theory can be applied to the in-depth analysis of digital materials.
Deni Sunaryo, Mukdad Ibrahim, Etty Puji Lestari
et al.
This study uses a quantitative approach with panel data analysis to examine the effect of financial ratios on stock return and the role of financial distress as a moderating variable. The sample consists of companies in the food and beverage processing sector listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) during the period from 2013 to 2023. The data used were obtained from the annual financial statements published by these companies, as well as stock market data from the IDX. The total sample used in this study consists of 121 data points obtained through purposive sampling from 26 companies that met the research criteria. The dependent variable in this study is stock return, which is calculated based on the annual stock price change divided by the stock price at the beginning of the year. The independent variables include financial ratios, namely Total Asset Turnover (TAT), Price Earnings Ratio (PER), and Times Interest Earned Ratio (TIER). Financial distress is measured using the Altman Z-Score, which serves as the moderating variable in this study. Multiple regression analysis was used to test the research hypotheses, incorporating interaction variables between financial ratios and financial distress to test for moderating effects. The tests included descriptive analysis, normality test, multicollinearity test, and autocorrelation test to ensure the validity of the results.
The results show that TAT, PER, and TIER have weak or insignificant effects on stock return, with TAT and TIER showing negative but statistically insignificant relationships. Financial distress was found to moderate the relationship between TIER and stock return in certain models, although it did not show a significant effect in other models. This study emphasizes the need for further research to include macroeconomic variables and explore industry sector dynamics to deepen the understanding of this relationship.
The main process carried out by the retail industry is distribution. The distribution flow starts from receiving goods from suppliers by the receiving division, the picking process carried out by the warehouse division, sending goods to retailers carried out by the distribution and delivery division, as well as receiving returned/returned goods (unsold goods) from retailers by the returns division. The problem faced by the retail industry is the high value of returned products identified as inventory. From the results of problem identification using the six sigma method, it was found that the cause of the high inventory of returned products was the late arrival of returned goods from retailers. In general, returned goods can be returned to the supplier/manufacturer if the maximum expiration date is 3 months. If the expiration date is less than 3 months, the item cannot be returned/replaced with a new product. Delays are caused by the system for checking returned goods that are nearing their expiry date, which is still done manually, so there is no system that can warn retail employees to immediately return the returned goods. This problem can be avoided if there is a product identification system that will expire. This identification system is called an early warning system. Early signal system design uses the Structured Analyzed and Design Technique (SADT) design method. The operating system chosen is Android base. The use of the Android base was chosen because it is more effective and efficient for use in retail branches or retail industry outlets. The process of creating this early signal system uses a MySQL database. The application creation process uses PHP and Android Studio. With an early signal system, delays in returning goods by retailers can be minimized.
Like many other Small Island Developing States, São Tomé and Príncipe’s economy faces major weaknesses and constraints. These challenges are especially marked on the island of Príncipe, owing to its small size and double insularity. In recent decades, tourism, driven by international investment, has become a strategic sector for territorial development. This study assesses the suitability of this exogenous model and explores the feasibility of adopting a progressive change to a more community-centered tourism development model. Extensive fieldwork and multi-stakeholder collaboration have highlighted the need for a holistic, multi-dimensional strategy to secure this change. Such a strategy would prioritize local skills enhancement, infrastructure improvement, better governance and the diversification of tourism products and experiences. The gradual shift to a more endogenous approach in tourism development aims to strengthen sustainability across its multiple dimensions, ensuring more substantial and direct benefits for the local community and adding value to tourist services and experiences.
The article is dedicated to a comparative analysis of the possibilities of staffing autonomy in universities in Estonia and Croatia. The research is based on the methodology of the European University Association (EUA), which considers staffing autonomy as a part of institutional autonomy. This includes the ability of universities to decide on recruitment and dismissing rules and procedures, ability to decide on salaries and defining career advancement mechanisms. The selection of countries and universities for comparative analysis is driven by the results of the EUA analytical reports on staffing autonomy, where Estonia holds the highest position (100%) and Croatia the lowest (12%). It is emphasized that university websites offering employment opportunities serve as an innovative tool for human resource management. Based on a comparison of the websites of the University of Tartu and the University of Zagreb, it is concluded that Estonian higher education institutions have greater freedom to define their human resource management policies and practices. In contrast, Croatian universities are constrained by centralized state policies that limit staffing autonomy, define academic personnel as civil servants, and regulate all hiring and career advancement procedures through state legislation. However, the comparative analysis also revealed that both the University of Tartu and the University of Zagreb can set additional requirements for candidates applying for academic positions, which demonstrates the universities’ commitment to staffing autonomy.
This article provides an assessment of the employment of women in STEM occupations in the U.S. federal government. Women are underrepresented in STEM fields in the U.S. federal service, but their levels of employment vary markedly between departments and agencies. Women also quit federal STEM jobs in disproportionately large numbers, compared with men, and compared with women in other professions, and they resign at varying rates depending on the department or agency. We examine the impact of the presence of women in STEM supervisory positions on these patterns using a two-staged instrumental variable model. Our findings suggest that larger proportions of women in supervisory positions in STEM fields may help to produce higher levels of employment of women, but the presence of women as STEM supervisors has no observable impact on the rate at which women quit STEM jobs.
Orientation: Many employees find it difficult to balance their role in family and work. For the organisation to be successful in achieving its goals, management must be fully aware of the employee’s needs as well as responsibilities towards the employee’s family.
Research purpose: This study aimed to analyse the effect of work–family conflict on work–life balance, the effect of work–family conflict on performance, the effect of work–life balance on performance and the effect of work–family conflict on employee performance through work–life balance as the intervening variable.
Research approach/design and method: The population of this study comprised all taxation civil services in The Solo Region totaling 694 participants. A sample of 254 people. The primary data was obtained through questionnaires distributed to respondents. This research employed the partial least square analysis method.
Main findings: Work–family conflict had a negative and significant effect on work–life balance and performance. Work–life balance had a positive and significant effect on employee performance. Work–family conflict showed a negative and significant effect on employee performance through work–life balance.
Practical/managerial implications: In an effort to minimise the possibility of work–family conflict, employees should remain knowledgeable in balancing the fulfilment of role demands in work and life domains. The organisation is expected to create a comfortable and supportive work atmosphere in order to avoid employee role conflicts efficiently.
Contribution/value-add: This study provides a new contribution to proving the theory of the relationship between work–family conflict, work–life balance and individual performance.
Basically, a Muslim is obligated to consume something Halal and stay away from Haram, for example, consumption of food, drink, medicine, etc. However, in practice, Muslim consumer only focus on Halal food and drinks, and forgot things that are equally important, which is medicines. This study aims to analyze and examine the effect of Halal knowledge, Halal awareness, and attitude, on people’s perception of Halal medicines. This study uses data collection through questionnaires, it takes a sample of 100 respondens with the following criteria; respondents are Muslim, and have purchased medicines both over-the-counter or with a doctor’s prescription within the last 3 months. The results of this study indicate that Halal knowledge and attitude have a positive effect on people’s perception of Halal medicines, while Halal awareness is stated have no effect on consumer’s perception of Halal medicines.
Water always finds its way" so do the money launderers, who are always successful in finding new ways of committing the crime. This study primarily aims to identify opportunities that launderers are exploiting to whitewash their black money. Dual nationality (DN), financial system sophistication (FSS), and cryptocurrency legal status (CCLS) are the advanced opportunities being used by launders to clean their funds. Some studies highlight the link between cryptocurrency and money laundering, but the role of dual nationality and financial system sophistication in money laundering is still a less addressed phenomenon (Ebeke, 2011) and (T. P. and J. Walker, 2011). The objective of this study is to explore the role of these three variables in money laundering by making improvements to the original version of the Walker model. The study's theoretical model was developed by borrowing justifications from Rational Choice Theory (RCT). For quantitative analysis, FGLS was employed over strongly balanced panel datasets. The final dataset of the study was prepared by gathering secondary data from 177 countries for 11 years (2009-2019). The study has found that overall, financial system sophistication is an important factor in choosing a laundering centre around the globe. However, Pakistani launderers do not perceive FSS as an attractive element for laundering their black money. In contrast, dual nationality was identified as a significant element in money laundering from Pakistan to other countries. However, the aspect of cryptocurrency legal status was found to be a significant attractive element for both national and international launders. The findings of the study guide policymakers and practitioners in strengthening the anti-money laundering strategy.
Using survey data from a large sample of state employees, this research investigates gender differences in affective organizational commitment to state employment. Following relational cohesion theory, I hypothesize that perceived emotional support among workers within the workplace is positively associated with affective commitment to state employment. I also expect that women’s greater commitment to state employment compared with men is due to their higher levels of perceived coworker support. The results of the analyses largely support the hypotheses and suggest that public-sector managers would do well to encourage the development of supportive relationships among employees.
The concept of quick response logistics implies supply chain management strategy focused on increasing its efficiency. It is based on the implementation of modern information technologies, which should ensure a twoway flow of information between the participants. The concept of quick response logistics implies transformation of the traditional relationships, which were primarily based on individual interests to a partnership characterized by equality and cooperation of all the actors in supply chains. The aim of this paper is to point toward the benefits that the application of this concept provides, and which are reflected in the reduction of costs, inventory levels, number of errors, risk, order cycle, quicker flow of products, greater flexibility, better and faster response to consumer demand, etc. In accordance with this, the following research methodology was applied: a) The theoretical research identified the indicators of the quick response logistics concept, such as: implementation of modern information technology in logistics operations, electronic data and information exchange between the actors in supply chain, long-term and fair relations between the actors in supply chain; b) Empirical research was conducted on the market of the Republic of Serbia on a sample of 70 respondents from retail stores and logistics centres as the key participants in their supply chains. The basic hypothesis about the statistically significant impact of the identified indicators to the retailer's speed of response to consumers demand, reducing the time from order to delivery and accuracy of delivery in accordance with consumer's requests was tested. 3) On the basis of the conducted tests ways were identified to enhance and implement the concept of quick response logistics in retailing in the Republic of Serbia. The disadvantages of the research and recommendations for future research are given in the paper.
Production management. Operations management, Personnel management. Employment management
Claude-Hélène Mayer, Christian M. Boness, Lynette Louw
Orientation: Chinese organisations have a long tradition of operating in Tanzania, and even today, Tanzania is the gateway for Chinese interests entering sub-Saharan markets.
Research purpose: The purpose of this article was to explore and understand the perceptions of Chinese and Tanzanian employees working in a private Chinese organisation in Tanzania.
Motivation for the study: The authors would like to contribute to the discourse on Chinese and Tanzanian collaboration in southern Africa to improve context-based intercultural collaboration from a human resource management perspective.
Research design, approach and method: The study used a case study approach within a hermeneutical research paradigm. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and observation in a selected private Chinese organisation. Data were analysed by content analysis using Terre Blanche’s five-step model of content analysis.
Main findings: The findings show that intercultural collaboration is a challenge for both Chinese and Tanzanian employees. Chinese employees share a mostly positive view of their organisation, while Tanzanians tend to be more critical. Members of both groups, however, feel that intercultural collaboration could improve if members of ‘the other group’ made recommended changes. Despite this, both groups adhere to their perceptions of ‘the other’ and maintain a favourable view of the self.
Practical/managerial implications: Chinese organisations need to create opportunities for the improvement of intercultural collaboration by reflecting on the self and ‘the other’ in terms of understanding thought styles, experiences, knowledge, and the impact of cultural values on collaboration behaviour. As such, cultural knowledge-sharing might contribute to a sustainable long-term intercultural collaboration.
Contribution: The study contributes to filling the gap of in-depth qualitative research on perceptions of Chinese and Tanzanian intercultural collaboration between employees in the field of human resource management in Africa.